{"id":14800,"date":"2016-04-13T03:00:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-13T10:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=14800"},"modified":"2020-12-24T03:54:32","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T11:54:32","slug":"powerful-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/powerful-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Powerful Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Plants do more than beautify your office space. They are a tested, effec\"terra<\/a>tive, low-cost\u2014and now, low maintenance\u2014way to make your office space a better place to work. The presence of greenery results in increased productivity, improved morale, more amicable interpersonal relations, higher air quality, and decreased stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n

If those seem like haughty claims, consider the research:<\/p>\n

The Journal of Experimental Psychology <\/a>reveals that the presence of greenery in an office space boosts productivity by 15 percent.<\/p>\n

Plant life is proven to enhance concentration<\/a>, which not only supports productivity but also fosters creative problem solving and faster learning.<\/p>\n

When employees are burdened by stress, fuses run short and interpersonal conflicts may escalate. Studies by the Horticulture Research Institute suggests that indoor plants demonstrably reduce stress<\/a>, thus improve mood and morale in the workplace. In the long term, emotional stress is a contributing factor to the top six leading causes of fatal illness. By reducing stress, businesses can improve employee health and cut costs on absenteeism and health care.<\/p>\n

It is common knowledge that plants can reduce the presence of carbon dioxide outside. It\u2019s equally as important to note that some plants can combat volatile organic compounds<\/a> (VOCs) that are commonly found indoors. VOCs are found in paints, adhesives, flooring, furniture, and other office products. Cleaner air contributes to employee health, as well as a reduction in minor setbacks such as headaches and fatigue.<\/p>\n

\"terra<\/a>Plants have proven their value. So why aren\u2019t more offices packed wall to ceiling with greenery?<\/p>\n

Terra Basche of Santa Barbara-based Terra Malia Designs<\/a> recalls common misconceptions about indoor plants. \u201cPeople think potted indoor plants should be placed in the corner and out of the way. Plants are cared for, but otherwise no one interacts with them. Terra Malia Designs is trying to break that mold and merge plants with art and utility,\u201d says Basche. \u201cEveryone should interact with plants in the workplace, like growing and harvesting lettuce from a tower garden to make a fresh salad for lunch or growing tomatoes that can be picked for a caprese salad minutes before a lunch meeting.\u201d
\n\"terra<\/a><\/p>\n

There is also the misconception that plants are boring. You can make office plants trendy, changing them out to keep the office environment feeling fresh and exciting.<\/p>\n

\u201cFiddle leaf figs are hot now. It\u2019s a ficus that prefers medium to high light. It has really large, kind of shiny leaves. Great texture. Nice personality. They\u2019re the sort of plants that like their spot and if you move them, they get upset,\u201d laughs Basche.<\/p>\n

More Myths About Plants<\/strong><\/p>\n